PM Modi resigns

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday tendered his resignation along with the Council of Ministers to President Droupadi Murmu.

IMF Board to review Sri Lanka’s economic progress on June 12

The Article IV consultation and second review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Sri Lanka are on the IMF Board meeting agenda for June 12.

Live updates : Adverse weather - 10 persons killed, 5 missing

Heavy rains are expected to continue in many parts of the country today and the Disaster Management Centre is ready for an emergency and major flood situation, the Daily Mirror learns.

Hadunnetti apologises to Elon Musk

Claiming that he never meant to call billionaire businessman Elon Musk an economic hit-man, NPP Economic Council member Sunil Hadunnetti said today he expresses his regrets to Elon Musk.

Industry stakeholders up in arms against moves to scrap ‘Happy Hour’

Industry stakeholders including hoteliers, tourism authorities and even law enforcement agencies have shown their utter dismay over an abrupt decision taken by the National Authority on Alcohol and Tobacco (NATA) to scrap the ‘Happy Hour’ in hotels, which was termed as an ‘absurd’ move to discourage already ailing tourism sector and consumers.

NATA directs hotels to ban ’’Happy Hour’’

The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) has directed all hotels to refrain from granting any discounts on the purchase of alcohol products, claiming that it is a punishable offence.

Triple tragedy for mother of four

In a distressing tale from Kebithigolleva, a 33-year-old mother of four found herself in dire circumstances as she laments enduring four months without electricity, two weeks of water scarcity, and the recent loss of her husband, the main breadwinner who supported the family through odd jobs.

President asserts no polls postponement

Chaos erupted among the political circles last evening after a statement was made by UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, stating that a proposal would be brought to Parliament to postpone the presidential and parliamentary elections, with parliamentarians from all parties rejecting the move and calling for an immediate response from the President.

China, US, India, France compete for SL’s graphite deposits

In another example of the global spotlight on Sri Lanka’s strategic assets and resources, China, India, the United States and France are in a competition to secure investments in the country’s graphite sector, the Daily Mirror learns.

Health officials raise alarm over hygiene standards at Dansals

As relentless rainfall continues, health authorities are sounding the alarm on hygiene standards at dansals during the Vesak festival.

‘ISIS operatives’ were booked for gold, drug smuggling in past: ATS

Two days after arresting four Sri Lankan nationals suspected to be ISIS operatives, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) Wednesday said that all the accused have been previously booked in gold and drug smuggling cases.

Leading foreign- funded NGOs spending unchecked

A number of leading NGOs funded by various foreign sources for projects such as gender rights, human rights and democratic governance have been registered only as guaranteed companies under the registrar of Companies leaving the National NGO Secretariat in the lurch in having a check on their expenses and activities, a top source said.

Sri Lanka launches probe into alleged ISIS links

Sri Lanka’s State Intelligence has launched an immediate probe to obtain further information on the four Sri Lankan individuals alleged to be ISIS suspects who had travelled to India in recent days and were arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad upon arrival at Ahmedabad Airport, the Daily Mirror learns.

Iran helicopter crash: President Ebrahim Raisi dies

Iranian media has confirmed the death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, aged 63, and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian following a helicopter crash in the country’s mountainous province of East Azerbaijan.

Arrest of four persons over War Dead Commemoration: Sri Lankan authorities in Canada in dilemma

The recent arrest of four Tamils in the Eastern Province over the commemoration of war dead has left Sri Lankan diplomatic authorities in Canada in a precarious position in countering allegations regarding human rights violations, a top source said.

Sajith bars Daily Mirror over liquor controversy

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa has announced a ban on the Daily Mirror from covering any press briefings held by the SJB.

Health experts raise red flags over soaring influenza cases

​In the wake of the rising influenza cases at an unusual rate, health experts are urging the public to beware of symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.

Selectors deny favoritism in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad selection

While denying any favoritism during the selection of players for the Sri Lanka squad in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee Chairman Upul Tharanga said the Sri Lanka team is in a good position to challenge any team at the World Cup to be held in the West Indies and USA.

Concessionary vehicle permits: MPs have their way, ignoring economic crisis

Despite the cost of living sizzling at red hot levels and the country being cash- strapped, the House Committee of Parliament has endorsed the proposal to offer concessionary vehicle permits for MPs as requested by them, a top source said.

On-arrival visa fiasco drains VFS Global’s confidence in Sri Lanka

VFS Global which has been caught in the center of controversy in the on arrival visa issuance at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has raised serious concerns with the Public Security Ministry led by Tiran Alles stating that while they were a reputed global company, they were shocked to be left victimized as the on arrival visa saga took a turn for the worse.

Sri Lanka face unusual dilemma

Moving into World Cup tournaments, Sri Lanka selectors have traditionally faced difficult challenges in relation to squad selection. From time to time, the selectors have made tough calls; some of which have paid off and some turned out to be shocking mistakes - such as leaving out a young Wanindu Hasaranga as a reserve player to include Jeffery Vandersay and Jeevan Mendis in the squad for the ODI World Cup in 2019.

Japan to provide vessel with underwater sonar

The Japanese government has finalized a plan to provide Sri Lanka with a vessel equipped with underwater sonar for detecting the location of other vessels in order to improve the country’s oceanographic survey capabilities, according to Japanese Deputy Press Secretary Kaneko Mariko.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa cannot deny my allegations: Cardinal

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa cannot deny what he told me during the telephone conversation he had with me in 2021, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Royal Pardon for 44 Sri Lankans in UAE

Forty four Sri Lankans who were in different prisons across the United Arab Emirates have been pardoned by a Royal order, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi said.

CoPF approves suspension of Parate Law until December 15, 2024

The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) approved the Recovery of Loans by Banks (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Bill which was amended to facilitate legal provisions for the suspension of the Parate Law till December 15, 2024.

Workers’ rights lost in quest for presidential elections

May Day was observed yesterday in the country and elsewhere across the world, but the question remained whether it was done in a befitting manner as usual in Sri Lanka with politics taking center stage rather than the rights of workers.

Sajith surprises all, wants to play mediatory role in Indo-China conflict

In a surprising move, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, in a meeting with a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has offered to play a mediatory role between two Asian giants implying India and China, the Daily Mirror learns.

NPP accepts Daily Mirror invitation for political debate, Sajith’s confirmation awaited

The National People’s Power (NPP) yesterday accepted the official invitation for the political debate to be held by the Daily Mirror and Lankadeepa, with the three main presidential candidates while the Samagi Jana Balawegaya leader Sajith Premadasa is yet to confirm his participation.

Govt. concerned over project implementation at snail’s pace

Ahead of the presidential election, the government has allocated Rs.100 million for each divisional secretariat area for development projects and instructed the ruling party MPs to accelerate implementation of them, Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka weighs Open Skies amidst plans for national carrier privatization

Sri Lanka is in a dilemma to decide whether to adopt an open skies policy or not in the event of divestiture of shares of the national carrier ‘SriLankan Airlines’, a top official said.